FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Drew Jackson slid safely under the tag of Sacramento State catcher Corey Watts to score during the sixth inning.
Comeback The Hawaii Rainbows played a game of missed opportunities, but finally took advantage of their last chance and pulled out an 8-7 victory at Murakami Stadium yesterday afternoon.
gives
’Bows sweep
Hawaii improves to 6-1,
but Trapasso is eager
to get back to practiceBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comThe 'Bows left eight runners in scoring position through eight innings and trailed Sacramento State 7-5 entering the bottom of the ninth.
Hawaii then combined two singles, three walks and one more hit, an infield single off the bat of Josh Green, to rally for three runs and an 8-7 triumph, much to the delight of the 1,365 fans in attendance.
To run their winning streak to a modest five games, the Rainbows (6-1) had to persevere, and no one was forced to do that more than Green.
He opened the third inning with a single but was picked off first by Hornets catcher Corey Watts. In the fourth, Green struck out with a runner on second. He fanned again in the sixth with the bases loaded and only one out. He brought home Brian Finegan with a sacrifice fly in the eighth, but really made amends in the ninth.
Rocky Russo, the first UH player to have four hits in a game this season, and Jaziel Mendoza singled to start the ninth. Art Guillen, pinch-hitting for Tim Montgomery, failed to sacrifice, bunting foul for strike three. Freshman Drew Jackson, making his first start behind the plate, lofted an easy fly to center.
Then the parade started. Freshman designated hitter Tyler Wightman, also making his first start, and Finegan walked on 3-2 counts to force home one run. Brent Cook walked on a 3-1 count to send pinch runner Matt Inouye across the plate, tying the score at 7.
Green fouled off a pitch with the count 1-2, then hit a high bouncer up the middle that leaping Sacramento State (5-4) pitcher Joe Guntz deflected toward second.
"Once I saw him tip the ball I knew they wouldn't throw me out. I ran as hard as I could. I'm surprised I didn't pull something," Green said. "The pitch looked like a slurve and I think it got more of the plate than he intended. I just wanted to take my hands toward the pitcher and try and hit it up the middle.
"I take a lot of pride in not striking out and was very upset with myself, but the coaches told me to just clear my mind. I was very fortunate to be in that situation (in the ninth). My teammates gave me that opportunity."
Pinch runner Schafer Magana scored the game-winning run as Green beat second baseman Cliff Hinkle's desperation throw to first by a full step, giving UH a series sweep.
"The only story today is we battled," said Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso. "We just did not play well and the guys recognize that, but were able to come out with a win. We need to put this game behind us and have a good week of practice."
Finegan, hitting in the leadoff spot for the first time after batting ninth most of the season, reached base six consecutive times on three walks, two doubles and a single.
"It doesn't matter to me where I hit as long as I can get on base and help us score some runs," said Finegan, a transfer from Cuesta JC.
Russo, who was hitting .188 entering the game, had three singles and a double.
"I felt relaxed out there today. I let the ball travel for once," said the freshman third baseman from Monterey, Calif.
Aaron Powell, a freshman from Aiea, hit a two-run homer over the right-field fence to give Sacramento State a 3-1 lead in the second. The Hornets kept the 'Bows at bay until the ninth.
Hawaii opens a three-game series with Wichita State on Friday at 6:35 p.m.
Hawaii 8 Sacramento St. 7
SacSt AB R H BI Hawaii AB R H BI Strombach cf 4 1 0 0 Finegan ss 3 1 3 2 Winkle, 2b 5 2 3 0 Cook, 2b 5 1 1 1 Kinsey, 1b 4 0 1 0 Green, rf 5 0 2 2 Schmidt, rf 5 0 1 2 Ponomarenko, 1b 3 1 0 0 Santiago, 3b 3 1 2 1 Russo, 3b 5 2 4 1 Gracio, lf 4 2 2 0 Mendoza, lf 5 0 1 0 Powell, dh 4 1 1 2 Inouye, pr 0 1 0 0 Watts, c 4 0 2 2 Montgomery, cf 4 0 2 2 Rincon, ss 3 0 0 0 Guillen, ph 1 0 0 0 Cuckovich, p 0 0 0 0 Jackson, c 5 1 1 0 Mols, p 0 0 0 0 Wightman, dh 3 0 1 0 Rosebrock, p 0 0 0 0 Magana, pr 0 1 0 0 Kahale, p 0 0 0 0 Bauer, p 0 0 0 0 Mohr, p 0 0 0 0 Olsen, p 0 0 0 0 Guntz, p 0 0 0 0 Lee, p 0 0 0 0 Peck, p 0 0 0 0 Totals 36 7 12 7 Totals 39 8 15 8
SACST (5-4) 120 020 020 -- 7 12 1 HAWAII (6-1) 101 001 113 -- 8 15 1
E -- Gracio; Montgomery. LOB -- SacSt 6, Hawaii 14. 2B -- Winkle, Finegan 2, Russo. HR -- Powell. SB -- Montgomery. HBP -- Rincon.
SacSt IP H R ER BB SO Cuckovich 5 5 2 2 5 3 Mols 1/3 4 1 1 0 0 Rosebrock 1 2/3 2 1 1 0 1 Kahale 1 1 1 1 0 0 Mohr (L, 0-1) 2/3 2 3 3 2 1 Guntz 0 1 0 0 1 0
Hawaii IP H R ER BB SO Bauer 1 2/3 6 3 3 0 3 Olsen 4 1/3 2 2 2 2 1 Lee 2 3 2 2 0 0 Peck (W, 1-0) 1 1 0 0 0 0
Umpires -- HP: Ryan Arasato; 1b: Keoki Torres; 3b: Mike Evans. T -- 3:10. A -- 2,594.
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